Shock reducing and cushioning wheel



y 1943 G. L. LARISON Re. 22,316

SHOCK REDUCING AND CUSHIONING WHEEL MOUNTING FOR VEHICLES Original Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 r m m n Glenn L. Larz'son y 1943 G. LARISON. Re; 22,316

SHOCK REDUCING AND CUSHIONING WHEEL MOUNTING FOR VEHICLES Original Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Glenn L. Lari-Sbn Fi 7 By Hit er eys y 1943 G. LARIS'ON Re. 22,315

SHOCK REDUCING AND CUSHIONING WHEEL MOUNTING FOR VEHICLES I Original Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 v as 32 I m a; '%;24 m

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Inventor Glenn L Larzqon y 1943 G. L. LARISON Re. 22,316

SHOCK REDUCING AND CUSHIONING WHEEL MOUNTING FOR VEHICLES Original Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 in van for G] en 1: L. L arisen y 1943 G. L. LARISON' Re. 22,316

SHOCK REDUCING AND CUSHIONING WHEEL MOUNTING FOR VEHICLES Original Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m 5 rd 5 a UJ T .w I v e a T M Y x O x Q 7 1V 1 ,1 w w j ll .FIILL.

Reissued May 18, 1943 SHOCK REDUCING AND CUSHIONING WHEEL MOUNTING FOR VEHICLES Glenn L. Larison, La Grande, reg., assignor to Larison Compensating Axle Corporation, a corporation oi Oregon Original No. 2,170,454, dated August 22, 1939, Se-

rial No. 264,361, March 27, 1939. Reissue No. 21,483, dated June 18, 1940, Serial No. 332,416, April 29, 1940. This application for reissue July 7, 1941, Serial No. 401,404

Claims.

This application is a continuation in part taken from my co-pending application, Serial No. 223,- 2'75, filed under date of August 5, 1938, Patent No. 2,199,409, May 7, 1940.

' This invention relates to vehicles of various types, but, more particularly, to trucks and trailers of the heavy duty type in which multiple 'ioned.

wheels are necessary for properly carrying the wheel to carry its share of the load at all times regardless of the irregularities in the surface of the roadway.

I have discovered, however, that a mere equalizing or shock-reducing connection between the wheel spindles of each pair of wheels-thus effecting a compensating mounting in which the spindles move in unisonis not sufiicient because such construction, no matter how arranged, does not prevent severe thrusts or shocks to the wheel-mounting assembly when the vehicle travels at slow speed over a rough road or at high speeds on a. modern, improved highway. At high speeds the impact of the vehicle wheels against relatively low irregularities in the road surface produces, nevertheless, a very severe shock on the wheel mounting assembly. These severe thrusts and shocks so impartd to the vehicle and its wheel mounting are not only hard on the vehicle and its load, but also produce physical strain on the driver of the vehicle. Furthermore, when vehicles are driven over modern highways at high speeds, particularly trucks operating with heavy chains mounted on the wheels, the shocks or pounding action on the highway surface occasioned by impacts of the spaced chain lengths with the road surface, cause wear and strain to' the road surface. Testshave shown, however, that this wear and strain on the road bed is materially lessened when the-vehicle is equipped mounting in itself sufliciently practical for vehicles under all conditions, but requires the pro- The object of this invention, accordingly, is to provide a resilient or cushionng connection between the wheel-spindles of each pair, which, while permitting each wheel spindle tomove up or down with respect to the other wheel spindles, will'also insure the cushioning of sudden violent upward thrusts. on any one spindle, instead of instantly transmitting the entire force of such thrusts and shocks to the oppositely connected spindle.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a connection between the spindles of each pair that, under certain conditions, both spindles may move upward suddenly together, without necessitating any immediate lifting of that portion of the vehicle-support to which the spindle assemblies are hinged, as, for example, when both wheels of a pair suddenly are caused to engage a bump or obstruction in the roadway, and, under such conditions, thus causing an entirely diilerent action by the connected spindles from that obtained with the usual equalizing or so-called' compensating connection between the pair of spindle assemblies.

The manner in which these objects are obtainable is hereinafter fully described with reference' to the accompanying drawings illustrating practical embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heavy duty trailer supported on eight wheels and embodying the principles of my invention, the wheels, being shown raised to difierent heights as might occur when the vehicle is traversing an extremely uneven road surface;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rear portion of a vehicle chassis supported on four wheels and also embodying the principles, of my'invention, one of these wheels having been removed to reveal the spindle-carrying mechanism and two of the fimeiining wheels raised to different heights as in Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the resilient mountings of one pair of wheels of the vehicle illustrated in Fig. 1, one of the wheels of this pair having been removed to show more clearly construction and action of the wheel spindle assemblies;

Figs. 4 and 5 are end elevations of the same pair of wheelsand wheel spindle assemblies, Fig. 4 showing the wheels at the same height and Fig. 5 illustrating the shock-cushioning action which takes place when one of the wheels is suddenly raised above the other as occurs when one wheel is forcedto pass over a bump on the road surface;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary medial sectional elevation corresponding to the line 6--6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan taken on line 'I-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of one of the parts of the spindle assembly;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation similar to Fig. 4 but showing the companion wheel spindle assemblies connected by a compound resilient member and the construction modified in certain other respects to conform with the principles of my invention;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation, partly in vertical section, illustrating a further modification in the means for resiliently connecting the wheel spindle assemblies; and I Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional elevation taken on L line "-4! of Fig. 10.

In the heavy-duty vehicle shown in Fig. 1, the

eight rubber-tired wheels A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and

H are arranged in two transverse rows of four each.- Each wheel is permitted independent vertical movement in accordance with the principles of my invention and the vehicle is at all times evenlydistributed among the eight wheels. The wheels A and B are mounted on spindle carrying assemblies independently hinged to the forward end of a longitudinal member I and the wheels G and H are mounted in like manner at the 'rear end of the longitudinal member 1. Similarly, the wheels C and D and the wheels E and F are mounted at the forward and rear ends respectively, of the companion longitudinal member J. The longitudinal members or "walking beams I and J are plvotally connected as shown at K, to the transverse bolster L. which, in this particular trailer type of vehicle, constitutes the vehicle frame and is provided with the usual draw bar M and superimposed bunk N. The pivotal connections of the longitudinal members I and J to the bolster L permit these members to oscillate in vertical planes parallel to the direction of uneven road surfaces.

As previously indicated, the wheel-carrying assemblies in my invention are arranged inpairs. Thus, four pairs of these assemblies are required for the eight-wheeled trailer of Fig. 1, but since these four pairs are identical, only one pair need be described. For this purpose the assemblies for the wheels A and B will be described in detail.

with reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. V

The wheels A and B are rotatably mounted on the spindles II and H, respectively, in abutment with the fixed collars l2 and I2. The spindle H is formed integral with, or rigidly secured to, an arm l4, and the spindle II is likewise formed on.

ate movement of either or both rockers.

walking beam I to permit limited upward movement of the spindle-arms M and M as shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 6. The limit of such upward pivotal movementof the spindle-arms II and I4 may be definitely established by the provision of a stop plate l8; of the required thickness, firmly attached to the walking beam I. These hinged spindle-arms with their hinge c nection to the longitudinal beam permit upward and downward movement of the wheel-spindles without any sidewise or lateral. movement with respect to the beam I and allow independent movement of the vehicle wheels in planes always parallel to the substantially vertical plane of the walking beam or longitudinal chassis member.

A stub shaft 221 (Fig. 6) is firmly secured in the end of the beam I, near the top, with its axis substantially horizontal and parallel to the major axis of the beam I. On this shaft 23 the rocker arms l9 and I9 are mounted for free and independent rotation, and these are held against axial displacement onsaid shaft by a. nut 2|.

The hub of the rocker l9 occupies the central position of the extending part of the shaft 20, and the hub of the rocker I9 is bifurcated to straddle the hub of th rocker I9 as seen in Figures 3 and 6. An upstanding lug or shoulder 22 is .formed integral with the rocker I9, and a similar shoulder 22 i provided on the rocker l9, these shoulders being spaced apart to bear on a substantial compression spring 23 interposed between their inner faces in such manner as to afford a resilient resistance to the upward arou- A bolt 24, loosely disposed in the shoulders 22 and 22' and passing through the spring 23, together with suitable keeper washers (not shown) at the ends of the spring, retain the spring against lateral displacement and limit the movement of the rotfikers and the upstanding lugs away from each 0 er.

The rocker l9. has an integral stub shaft 25 i (see dotted lines in Fig. 4) extending radially travel of the vehicle when the wheels traverse Y from the hub and substantially at right angles to the shoulder 22. A pivot block 26 is journaled on this stub shaft 25. The block 26 has fixed short pins 21 extending from opposite sides, and the block 26 is held against axial movement on the stub shaft 25 by a. screw 28 (Fig. 3) threaded into or secured to, a similar arm It, the spindles member I, in such manner that the hinged arms l4 and I4 may swing independently in vertical arcs about the common hinge pin :1, the hinge pin I! being perpendicular to the vertical plane of the longitudinal member I. The hinge fixture I6 is set in a suitable recess at the bottom of the the end of the shaft 25. The spindle ll carries a similar pivot block 29 adjacent the fixed collar l2. Connecting the pivot block 29 of the spindle H and the pivot block 26 on the rocker I! is a link 30 having forked ends which are disposed on the pins of the pivot blocks and which may oscillate with respect thereto, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The rocker I9 is coupled to the spindle H by similar means comprising pivot block 26, link 30' and pivot block 29'.

The action of each pair of wheel-carrying assemblies will now be explained with particular reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5. When the wheels A and B are resting on, or traversing a smooth and level road surface, the wheel spindles will be held in *he relative position illustrated in Fig. 4, because the shock-cushioning spring 23 is made sufiiciently strong to support that portion of the vehicle load borne by the corresponding end of the walking beam I. However, when one of the wheels, for example the wheel A, encounters a bump on the road surface. it will be raised to a greater elevation than the wheel B. In such case, the spindle arm [4 will be lifted in a vertical are about the hinge beam l1, the link Jl will be thrust upwardly, and the rocker I9 will be rotated counterclockwise as viewed in Figures 4 and 5. I

. Under some conditions this movement of th rocker I3, due to the load-supporting strength of the interposed spring 23, will cause similar movement to be imparted to the rocker l9, resulting in a downward thrust on link 30" corresponding to the. upward thrust on link 30 with consequent raising of the end of the walking beam I one half of the distance that the wheel A is lifted. However, if the raising of the wheel A occurs suddenly, the inertia of the load will cause compression of the spring 23, and if the vehicle is loaded to the sustaining capacity of the spring as heretofore mentioned, the sudden shock will be entirely taken up by the compression of the spring 23, the wheels, wheel-carrying assemblies, and beam I then assuming the relative positions shown in-Fig. 5. Thus the upward thrust of the wheel A is cushioned by the spring 23 after the manner of. a shock-absorber. to strike a sudden bump in the road and be simultaneously raised, the spring would be compressed from both ends by the inward motion of the rockers with like shock-absorbing action.

The plane of rotation of the wheel A isnot changed by the upward thrust of the uneven road surface as in some other devices, but is confined by the hinged'spindle-arm H to the normal plane of rotation, that is, parallel to the beam I, and at a constant "distance therefrom. N tilting of either wheel nor consequent sidewise slipping of the tires occurs.

The stop plates I8 (see Fig. 6) definitely establish the extent of upward travel of the spindle arms I4. and H and also the downward movement ofthe beam I with respect to the supporting wheels. In the event of fracture or complete failure of one of the wheels or its spindle the end of the walking beam I can drop only until the stop plate l8 abuts the spindle-arm of the other wheel of the pair. The other wheel then carries a double load, but there is no tendency of the vehicle to change its course or to leave the road under such conditions. The stop l8 may be so arranged that the distance which the beam I is permitted to drop will be less than the efiective depth of the-pneumatic tires on the wheels of the vehicle, so that in case of complete loss of air in one tire the action previously described will take place and the load on that wheel will be shifted to the companion wheel, the defective tire thus being relieved of its "share of the load and the rim of the wheel being prevented from resting on it. Figure 3 illustrates the end of the more practical to use links constructed in this manner than the links shown in Figs; 3, 4, and 6. However, various other ways in which such links might be constructed in order to function in the manner intended will suggest themselves.

In the vehi'cleshown in part in Fig. 2, there are no walking beams. The longitudinal members P and Q are in this instance made rigid with the vehicle frame R, and a hinge fixture I5 is firmly secured at the bottom of each longitudinal member as before. A fixed shaft (not shown, but

Were both wheels being similar to the shaft 20 of Figures 3 and 6), carries the rockers l3 and I9 01' each pair of wheel-carrying assemblies, such shaft being firmly secured in each of the members P and Q. In all other respects, the wheel-carrying assemblies are the same.

Figure 9 shows a modified form in which myinvention may be constructed. Here the shockabsorbing function of the shouldered rockers and interposed compression spring of the previously described embodiment is performed by a single member, namely the leaf spring 40. This flexible member is formed of a number of leaves of the proper length and thickness to support a normal vehicle load and these leaves are clamped together at-the middle in a cradle 4| which is rockably mounted on the stub shaft 20 of the walking beam I. The lower-most leaves of the spring 40 are bent at the ends to form eyes, and into these eyes are placed bushings 42 and 42' (shown dotted), these bushings being formed with concave seats to receive balls 43 and 43 (shown dotted) which have cylindrical projections 44 and 44' extending therefrom in substantially axial alignment with the spring eyes. These shaft-like projections are disposed in the upper ends of the links 30 and 30' and constitute knuckle joints between the coupling links an. and 30' and the ends of the leaf spring 40 in similar manner to the pivot blocks of the previous em.-

Figures 10 and 11* illustrate another modified form' in which my invention may be carried out. In this modified construction, in place of the links 3|! and 3|), I provided upstanding rods 45 and 45' bifurcated at their lower ends and pivotally mounted to the pivot block 29 and 29', respectively. Pistons 46 and 46' are carried on the upper ends of these rods 45 and 45' and are adapted to reciprocate in the hydraulic cylinders 41 and 41. In order to compensate for the armate movement of the ends of the spindle-arms l4 and I4 the cylinders l1 and 41' are formed with hollow bosses 48 and 48' bored to receive the ends of a shaft 49 extending transversely through the beam I. Pins 50, firmly secured to the bosses 48 and 48' co-act with grooves in-the shaft 43 to hold the cylinders in place and permit slightly arcuate movement in parallel vertical planes.

The space above the pistons 48 and 46' is filled with a. suitable fluid such asoil. Flexible tubes 5| and 5| are attached to the cylinders 41 and 41', respectively, which are also filled with the fluid, and these tubes have their other ends connected to a T-fitting 52 which also connects with the spring-loaded hydraulic chamber 53. Normally an upward thrust on the spindle I, pushing the piston 48 upwardly, will force fluid from cylinder 41 to pass through the tube 5|, the T- fitting 52; the tube 5| and into the other cylinder 41' exerting a downward thrust on piston 45'. However, with any sudden upward thrust of piston 46 the fluid from chamber 41 passing through the tube 5| will tend to be forced into the chamber 53 with suilicient impact to cause the piston 54 to compress the spring 55 thus taking up part or all of the thrust of fluid and cushioning the shock as desired. The same result takes place. with a sudden upward thrust of the other spindle H or with sudden upward thrusts of both spindles simultaneously.

While I have illustrated and described three forms in which my invention may be carried out, it is not my intention to limit my invention to these particular embodiments. Obviously there manner described, instead of being transmitted.

entirely to the other assembly or entirel to the connected portion of the 7 vehicle supporting means.

In this specification the term "vehicle frame is understood to be that part of the vehicle (composed largely of horizontally extending members) on which the vehicle body, or load carry-.

ing bunk, is supported and to which the wheel suspension is connected.

I claim:

1. In a mounting for a pair of vehicle wheels,

a vehicle frame, a longitudinal member mounted" on said vehicle frame, a pair of wheel-carrying arms, a wheel spindle near the end of each arm, said spindles being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said longitudinal member, and normally in substantially transverse alinement with each other, a hinge connecting each .0! said arms to said longitudinal member, said hinges having a pivotal axis prependicular to the plane of said longitudinal member, whereby said spindles may be moved up or down with respect to said longitudinal member, but will always be substantially perpendicular to the plane of said longitudinal member and the wheels on said spindles will always be spaced a constant distance from said'longitudinal member, compensating linkage joining the spindle-carrying ends of said arms, whereby the vehicle wheels will always carry equal loads, said compensating linkage pivotally mounted on said member, said linkage including resilient means whereby to cushion sudden upward thrusts on either of said arms.

2. A device for mounting a pair of wheels on a vehicle frame, said device including a vertical longitudinal member attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of wheel-carrying assemblies, a wheel spindle in each of said assemblies, said spindles extending in opposite directions from said member and substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member, each of said assemblies hinged 'to said member for up aiid down movement, said hinges being perpendicular to the plane of said member, whereby said spindles may be moved up or down with respect to said limiting the upward movement of each assembly, linkage connecting said assemblies, said linkage including a pair of rocker arms mounted on said member extending from opposite sides of said member the ends of said rocker arms being connected by links to sai igassemblie's, respectively,

each'of said rocker ar s having an upstanding lug, and a compression said lugs.

3. In a vehicle, a walking beam, 1:. pair of arms, a wheel spindle on each arm, said spindles extending in opposite directions from said walk-, ing beam and substantially perpendicular to the plane of said walking beam, each of said'arms hinged to said walking beam for up and down movement, said hinges being perpendicular to the plane of said walking beam, whereby said spindles may be moved up or down with respect to said walking beam, but will always be substantially perpendicular to said walking beam and the wheels on said spindles will always be spaced a constant distance from the plane of said walking beam, means definitely limiting the'upward movement of each arm, linkage connecting said s; ring interposed between arms, said linkage pivotally connected to "aid walking beam, whereby upward movement or one arm will cause a force to be exerted in the opposite direction on the other arm, said linkage including a resilient element whereby to cushion sudden upward thrusts on either of said arms.

4. In a vehicle, a walking beam, a pair of arms, a wheel spindle on each arm, said spindles extending in opposite directions from said walking beam and substantially perpendicular to the plane of said walking beam, each of said arms hinged to said walking beam for up and down movement, said hinges being perpendicular to the plane of' said walking beam, whereby said spindles may be moved up or down with respect to said walking beam but will always be substantially perpendicular to said walking beam and the wheels on said spindles will always be spaced a constant distance from the plane of said walking beam, means definitely limiting the upward movement of each arm, means .connecting said arms, said connecting means including a pair of rocker arms mounted on said walking beam ex,- tending from opposite sides v of said walking beam, the ends of said rocker arms being connected by links to said arms, respectively, each of said. rocker arms having an uptsanding lug, and. a, compression spring interposed between said lugs.

5. In a vehicle, a vertical longitudinal member attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of arms, a wheel spindle on each arm, said spindles extending in opposite directions from said member and substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member, each of said arms hinged to said meniber for up and down movement, said hinges being perpendicular to the plane of said member, whereby said spindles may be moved up or down with respect to said member but will always be substantially perpendicular to said member and the wheels on said spindles will always be spaced a constant distance from'the plane of said member, linkage connecting said spindles, whereby upward movement of one spindle will cause a force to be exerted in the opposite direction on the other spindle, said connecting means including a member but will always be substantially perpendicular to said member and the wheels on said spindles will always be spaced a constant distance from the plane of said member, stops definitely pair of rocker arms mounted on said'member extending from opposite sides of said member, the

ends of said rocker arms being connected bylinks to said spindles, respectively, each .of said rocker 'nectingsaidli -and arranged that upward movement of cne arms having an upstanding lug, and a compression spring interposed between said lugs.

carrying'means, said connecting means including a pair of rocker armsv mounted on said walking beam, extending from opposite sides of said walking beam, the ends of said rocker arms being' 2 connected by links to 'said spindle-carrying means, respectively. each orsaid rocker arms having an upstanding lug, and -a compression spring interposed between said lugs.

7. In a vehicle, a pair of parallel members attached to the vehicle frame, a 'pair oi wheelcarrying assemblies separately. hinged to each oi said parallel members, a horizontal wheel spindle in each wheel-carrying assembly, the spindles in rections, said assemblies hinged to-the parallel members to permit up and down movement in parallel planes of the-wheels on'sa'id spindles, means connecting each pair of said assemblies,

said means including a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted on the member and links connectgiliinnecting said spring member to said assem- 10. The combination set forth in claim 9 with said hinges arranged in axial alinement with each other and with said spindles normally in axial alinement with each other.

11. In a vehicle, amounting for a pair of Y wheels including a pair 0! wheel-carrying assemblies, each of said assemblies having a wheel spindle, said spindles-extending in opposite directions, each of said assemblies hinged for up anddown movement, means connecting said assemblies, said means to constructed and arranged that upward movement of one assembly will cause a fo1;ce to be exerted in the opposite direction on the other assembly, and said means including hydraulic pistons connected to said assemblies and a spring loaded hydraulic chamber adapted to cushion sudden shocks on either or both oisaid hydraulic pistons. I

-12. In a vehicle, a walking beam, a pair 01 I wheel-carrying assemblies hinged near each end ing said rocker arms and said assemblies, respectively, each rocker arm having an upstanding .lug, and a compression spring between the u tanding 1118s or each pair of rocker arms. I g

8. In a vehicle, a pair oi walking beams, a pair of wheelecarrying assembliesseparately hinged inward from the end 01' each of said walking beams, .11 horiz'ontalwheel spindle in each wheelcarrying assembly, the spindles in each pair of assemblies extending in opposite directions, said assemblies hinged to the walking beams to permit 4 up and down movement in parallel planes of the wheels on said spindles, means connecting each pair oi said assemblies, said means including a P ir of rocket arms pivotally mounted on the walkingbeam, and links connecting said rocker tudinal member for up and. down movement, a wheel spindle-in each said ex- 01 said walking beam for up and;down move- -ment in parallel. planes, the wheel-carrying asg semblies in each pair being connected by a resileach pair oi'assemblies extending in opposite dif otallymountedatoneendoisaidbeam,links transversely pivoted to said beam at one end and carrying ground engflzing means at the other ,end of said links, and means for securing said first and second named links together so constrncted and arranged that said ground engagsaidsecondnamedlinkspivotedtosaidbeam ing means will havemovement in planes parallel tosaid'beam and be laterally spaced a constant distance therefrom. a

14. Thecombinationsetiorthinclaim 13with membercnacommonaxis. A

15. In a vehicie, a vehicle frame, a mounting for a pair of wheels including a longimdinal member connected to the vehicle irame, a pair I oiwheel-carrylngassemblies'hingedtoeaidlonsitending in opposite directions, the hinges connecting said bliesto'saidlongitudinal memberbeingparallelto'saidspindlmgroimdenm inamemherscarriedbysaidmeanscon- ,saidmeanseoconstructed assemblywilicauseai'orc'etobeexertedinthe opposite-direction on the'other aseembly,'and eaidmeeiisincludingasprin'gmember oiw eel ca vmg e b lmseidextending inth'esame directiomeachpieaid aesemblies including'a wheel spindle, said spindles extendinginopwfliedirectionaeachoisaidalsemblieshingedatone endtorupanddownmovement, the hinges orsaid assemblies having'a pivtheoppositedirectionontheotheraseembiy.'

wherebythevehicleloadonbothwill lways beeriu'al. flnrust linkage in'eiue ingaresilient' either-orbothoteaid adaptedtocnshicnthe Iuddenupwardthrusteot emembliee.

rmnmt nmmson. 

